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Wednesday, November 30, 2016

It's been a hot second since I picked up a book in this series and boy was I glad to get back in it! Harry Dresden never catches a break. Tasked with finding out about possible black magic brewing in Chicago, he gets side tracked by a bunch of movie monsters that attack a horror convention. To make matters more complicated, his good friend, Michael's, daughter is somehow involved. What's a poor wizard to do? Narrated brilliantly by James Marsters, this book kept me on the edge of my seat and I enjoyed it immensely. On to book nine in the Dresden Files series!

Saturday, November 26, 2016

This coffee table collection of photographs is stunning, visually appealing, and hilariously awesome. Photographer Robert Trachtenberg does an amazing job of catching his male subjects (not all of whom are American like the title applies, for which he apologies numerously) in out of the ordinaary poses and manages to have fun and catch the ridiculousness of the everyday without poking fun at the subjects themselves. You'll find yourself giggling over the absurdity of Will Ferrel, Paul Rudd, JAmes van der Beek, and more. Many of the photographs are accompanied by an amusing story or tidbit about the actor in question. Another great thing is that not all the subjects are actors, there are some musicians, politicians, comedians, non-celebrities and more (as well as a few women). A great addition to any coffee table and a wonderful holiday gift for the comedian or photographer in your life.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

From the first page I was in love with this book. It was dark, unsettling, disturbing, endearing, and all around addicting. It's a fairy tale romanance but with a dark fucked up fairy tale and a forbidden (at times disturbing) romance. Wavy has never known normal, psychologically scarred from her drug addicted mother, she barely talks, barely eats, and is thought by most to be a weird mentally challenged little girl. Lurking behind her weird ways though is a fiercely smart girl and the only other one who really sees that besides her little brother is a big burly Native American biker who runs drugs for her dad. When Jesse Joe Kellen lays eyes on Wavy for the first time she's only eight, but over the years they find themselves growing in love with each other. Their illicit romance is naive and innocent until one day it isn't. Told from alternating perspectives over a decade this book will keep readers on their toes. A must read!!!

Monday, November 21, 2016

Fascinating, disturbing, and enlightening, this raw epic look at the National Parks and regulating nature will leave readers enthralled. Covering a lot of ground, "Engineering Eden," covers a brief history of the creation of Yellowstone National Park, the fight over controlling nature, and a major trial involving the death of a young man mauled and eaten by a grizzly. Although it covers a lot of ground and introduces many key players this book doesn't feel too overwhelming and introduces readers to a complex history without being too overwhelming. Covering many gruesome bear attacks, the fight between being a guardian versus gardening national parks, controlled fires, the role of government, and public safety this book has enough to satisfy anyone: outdoor enthusiasts, wildlife lovers, and history buffs. A wonderful and enlightening read.

I received this book for free from Librarything in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Not only is this book visually appealing, it is cool as hell and fun to color. This year we lost a great but his memory is enshrined in this fun and interactive coloring book. Not only are there iconic pictures re-imagined as coloring pages but there is basic information as well as discographies, awards, and other tidbits about his life. I was beyond pleased to see two pages dedicated to his role in Jim Henson's classic, Labyrinth. His fashion is fun to color and thankfully this isn't a SUPER hard adult coloring book, I think it's fairly simplistic with a little bit of a challenge, you don't need a magnifying glass to get to any tiny lines. My only beef is that the binding makes it harder to hold open and color and that the pages aren't perforated for easy ripping out and displaying of your completed artwork. Other than that this coloring book is a slam dunk and a must buy for any David Bowie fan.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in return for my honest, unbiased review.

I don't know how I made it through life not having read this book. It had a profound impact on me, the lyrical prose, beauty, heartbreak, and cultural awareness that this book brings is beyond impressive. A collection of short stories about growing up on the Spokane reservation and dealing with alcohol, corrupt government agencies, tradition, love, basketball, culture, and more. Some stories make you laugh but many more make you depressed. It's a book that demands to be felt and is wonderful in getting people to understand at least a little bit of the struggle that Native Americans deal with on a daily basis. Alexie is a gifted storyteller and weaves his words to create dozens of poetic and moving stories that readers will think about long after they finish the book. I can't wait to watch the movie adaptation, Smoke Signals. I hope it does the book justice!

The thrilling conclusion to the Bloodmark trilogy is worth the wait and will leave readers' satisfied. Ashling has started to fulfill her prophecy and has become the Crimson Queen over all the packs. With the Bloodrealms behind her, her love for Grey even stronger, and the support of her pack she thinks that things might finally starting to go her way. . But she soon discovers that it isn't a cakewalk being queen, the problems and the tough decisions keep rolling in. Her guardian (and father like figure), Baran, has been captured by rogue and dangerous wolves who are intent on robbing Ashling of her power and position and will stop at nothing to undermine and destroy her. Fast paced and exciting this finale was hard to put down. I don't want to say too much more and spoil the ending, but trust me, it was great. This debut author knows how to suck readers in and will have a ready fan base of readers waiting for her next trilogy or stand alone.

Aurora Whittet started out as a wild red-haired girl in Minnesota dreaming up stories for her friends to read. Mama’s Knight: A Cancer Story of Love is just the latest in a string of acclaimed works. Her first official writing endeavor became The Bloodmark Saga, featuring a werewolf princess-turned-ruler who falls in love with a human boy. Her first novel in the Bloodmark Saga, Bloodmark, came out in 2013, followed by Bloodrealms in 2014 and the final book Bloodmoon in 2016.

Monday, November 14, 2016

Admittedly I knew next to nothing about Sonny Liston before I read this book. I'm not much of a sports guru, although I do love boxing movies. All I knew about Sonny Liston was that he was the fallen boxer in the famous photo with Muhammad Ali towering over him. That's it. While this book doesn't go into too much detail about Sonny's early life or early career, it does mention some key facts and picks up the story towards the end of Sonny's life and career. This book doesn't paint a pretty picture of anyone but it is a fascinating look at corruption, the mob, heroin, and Las Vegas. The author meticulously puts together all the possible events, people, and circumstances that point to the famous boxer being murdered, even though there was never a homicide investigation. The plot thickens when you realize that virtually no one was straight, not even his wife. While there is no concrete conclusion at the end, readers will draw their own conclusions and in the process learn a great deal about boxing, fight fixing, draft dodgers, heroin, dirty cops, and Las Vegas. Thoroughly engaging, I wish there had been more pictures, but hey, what is a little outside research on my own.

The second installment in the hot new young adult paranormal romance trilogy brings added thrills, more intrigue, and of course lots and lots of forbidden romance. Since Ashling's eighteenth birthday is approaching, the countdown has begun on her being claimed by a mate and fulfilling her prophecy. Four suitors have come forward to pledge themselves to her, but she only has eyes for one, Grey. If anyone learns of their secret romance they are doomed and Grey could be put to death, so he must learn to control himself around her and act the part. Ashling's father has the four suitors fight in the Bloodrealms to prove themselves worthy, and the winner will have the honor of having Ashling as a mate. Just when Ashling and Grey think things can't get any worse or complicated, they find themselves trapped in the Bloodrealms and in the depths there are horrors they could never have imagined. They will have to use all their cunning to escape, especially since an old nemeses is also on the hunt for her. This teen couple can't cut a break. Why couldn't being a seventeen year old teenage girl be fun? Instead Ashling must fight for her life, her destiny, and her love. A satisfying follow up that will leave readers wanting to read the final book in the trilogy.

Aurora Whittet started out as a wild red-haired girl in Minnesota dreaming up stories for her friends to read. Mama’s Knight: A Cancer Story of Love is just the latest in a string of acclaimed works. Her first official writing endeavor became The Bloodmark Saga, featuring a werewolf princess-turned-ruler who falls in love with a human boy. Her first novel in the Bloodmark Saga, Bloodmark, came out in 2013, followed by Bloodrealms in 2014 and the final book Bloodmoon in 2016.

Saturday, November 12, 2016

I definitely think that listening to the audiobook is the way to go on this because not only does Lauren Graham read her story but she breathes life into that may not have been found when physically reading the novel. Set in 1995, Someday, Someday, Maybe, tells the story of a twenty something single white female trying to become an actress in New York City. Faced with her own self imposed deadline, Franny has only six months left to get herself a real acting or theater job. Juggling acting class, work at the comedy club, and romantic feelings towards a fellow actor, Franny keeps the readers hilariously entertained with her clutzy, naive antics, and charming wit. Laugh out loud funny, cringingly embarrassing, and completely eye opening, this novel is a must read for any Gilmore Girl's fan or anyone interested in making it as an actress. My only real complaint is that the book ended a little too abruptly for my taste.

Monday, November 7, 2016

The first in a thrilling new teen paranormal romance trilogy, Bloodmark will resonate with fans of Twilight and werewolf romance. Combined with medieval lore and modern day high school drama, Bloodmark tells the story of a sixteen year old werewolf princess cast aside by her family and sent to live in America. Different from birth, Ashling was able to shapeshift as an infant, something no other werewolf could do without hitting puberty first. Always sheltered and hidden with her mom, Ashling had no idea how special and different she was until she started to be hunted by a menacing renegade werewolf. She learns that she is the answer to a centuries old prophecy and that she must be hidden far away to protect the werewolf clans. Sent to live with a werewolf posing as her uncle she must learn to live like an American teenager and drop all of her wolf-isms and wild Irish ways. She manages to catch on pretty quickly and immediately catches the eye of a hot young, motorcycle rebel named Grey. Even though he's human she finds herself inexplicably falling for him. What follows next is a hot and heavy romance (but not too hot!), and more danger as Ashling realizes that her nemesis has followed her to America. Will she be able to protect her new lover and her friends? What is her destiny? Can she combine the ways of Old Mother with her new teenage American identity and triumph? A wonderful introduction to a new trilogy that will leave readers wanting more. There is enough, lore, fantasy, romance, and teenage drama to make this a sure fire hit. Check out the next two in the series: Bloodrealms and Bloodmoon to see how Ashling and her lover fare.

Aurora Whittet started out as a wild red-haired girl in Minnesota dreaming up stories for her friends to read. Mama’s Knight: A Cancer Story of Love is just the latest in a string of acclaimed works. Her first official writing endeavor became The Bloodmark Saga, featuring a werewolf princess-turned-ruler who falls in love with a human boy. Her first novel in the Bloodmark Saga, Bloodmark, came out in 2013, followed by Bloodrealms in 2014 and the final book Bloodmoon in 2016.

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

A slam dunk follow up the first in the series, Kings or Pawns. World building isn't easy, but author J.J. Sherwood, makes it look like a piece of cake. She seemlessly picks up where the last book left off and we continue to follow our favorite (and least favorite) characters on the next steps of their journeys. Jikun and Navon have crossed the sea and are looking for a way to gather troops and somehow attack the tyrant ruler Saebellus again, Alvena is trying to put as much distance between herself and the city before the queen finds her and murders her, Sellamar is trying to assist the resistance while playing politics with the bad boys, and we get to see a whole new side of "the beast." New characters are introduced, some old characters die, and political intrigue, adventure, heroics, and fantasy reign supreme in this stellar follow up. A fantastic series that fantasy fans will eat up. Definitely an emerging author to watch for; the story line and plot are intricate and tightly woven, no plot holes, weak characters, or bad writing. A fast and entertaining read!